A former Penn State fraternity member testified that cocaine deals within the university's fraternity system escalated from 100-gram quantities to kilogram loads, with pledges allegedly assisting in packaging and distribution. The testimony occurred during preliminary hearings at the Centre County Courthouse for five defendants charged in connection with the alleged drug operation.
Prosecutors with the Pennsylvania attorney general's office described a hierarchical drug network involving suppliers, distributors, and fraternity members accused of weighing, packaging, and delivering cocaine. Authorities allege that drugs were transported to State College from Philadelphia, New York, and Long Island for sale to Penn State students.
Thomas Robinson, a former member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, testified that he and another former member, Mohammed Huraibi, began purchasing cocaine from Agostino Abbatiello in 2023. Their initial purchase reportedly involved approximately 100 grams of cocaine for about $4,000. Robinson stated that he and Huraibi would then break down the cocaine into half-gram bags and sell them for around $80 each. He also testified about subsequent purchases of 250 grams, 500 grams, and eventually about 1 kilogram of cocaine from Abbatiello. Robinson claimed he began buying directly from Abbatiello via Snapchat, a platform where messages disappeared after 24 hours. He detailed a March 2024 transaction where Abbatiello allegedly sold him about 500 grams of cocaine for approximately $22,000, followed by purchases of another kilogram in July 2024, a third kilogram in September, and a fourth in November. Robinson stated that the drugs were primarily sold to members of Penn State fraternities.
Prosecutors have identified Abbatiello as a high-level supplier who allegedly leveraged fraternity connections for cocaine distribution on campus. Huraibi corroborated Robinson's testimony regarding initial purchases from Abbatiello, including a 100-gram purchase for $4,000 in August 2023 and a 250-gram purchase for about $10,000 in November. Huraibi testified that while he and Robinson initially handled the packaging themselves, fraternity pledges were later involved. He stated he ceased his participation once pledges became involved.
Other fraternity members are accused of supporting the operation by packaging, delivering, or purchasing cocaine. Michael Brogno Jr. is accused of packaging and delivering drugs under Robinson's direction. Other defendants face accusations of using a digital scale, assisting with deliveries, or buying cocaine from the main distributors.
Lars Zeepvat, a former Sigma Chi member, testified that Abbatiello's alleged drug sales evolved from personal use to a business driven by profit and social standing. Zeepvat also testified that Abbatiello occasionally stored cocaine in fraternity houses and apartments frequented by students. He described an alleged November 2024 delivery to Delta Upsilon involving a large brown bag that Abbatiello claimed contained approximately 400 grams of cocaine. Zeepvat and Robert Zanolla are also accused of making trips to New York to procure cocaine for Abbatiello, with Zanolla allegedly assisting in transporting the drugs back to the State College area.
In a separate hearing, Ryan Matson testified that Paul Robinson assisted in retrieving a hidden safe from the woods after Thomas Robinson's arrest. Matson stated that Thomas Robinson wanted to prevent drugs and money from being discovered during a potential search. Matson recounted that Paul Robinson knew the safe's location and helped him recover it, later urging him to keep the matter confidential. Matson acknowledged he had not opened the safe and initially withheld information from investigators to protect Thomas.
Detective Donald Paul testified that investigators seized a safe from Thomas Robinson's fraternity room on December 13, 2024. The safe reportedly contained cocaine, marijuana, a handgun, and Adderall pills. According to Thomas Robinson, a second safe moved to Matson's apartment contained approximately 100 grams of cocaine and between $5,000 and $10,000 in cash. Paul Robinson's defense attorney questioned the evidence presented, specifically regarding the contents of the safe recovered from the woods and whether his client was aware it contained drugs. A judge ruled there was sufficient evidence to proceed with charges against Paul Robinson related to evidence concealment and obstruction of justice.
Abbatiello, described by prosecutors as the alleged primary dealer in the operation, was granted $250,000 secured bail after initially being held without bail. His attorney expressed satisfaction with the proceedings, stating his client was expected to post bail soon.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.